Doctors in Goa have demanded a public apology from Health Minister Vishwajit Rane after he publicly berated and suspended Dr. Rudresh Kuttikar, a senior doctor at Goa Medical College (GMC), during a surprise visit. The Goa Association of Resident Doctors (GARD) condemned the minister’s actions as humiliating and called for the suspension to be revoked, a fair inquiry, a ban on videography in patient areas, and an end to VIP culture in hospitals.
The incident, caught on video, showed Rane confronting Dr. Kuttikar over alleged patient mistreatment and announcing his immediate suspension. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and GARD criticized the move as a violation of due process and damaging to the morale of healthcare workers. GARD warned of a strike if their demands weren’t met within 48 hours and launched a black armband protest.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant intervened, overruling the suspension and promising a fair probe. Rane later defended his actions, admitting his tone could have been better but standing by his decision to act on behalf of a mistreated elderly patient. The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) also urged the minister to apologise.
